Local Residents Furious Over Proposed PECO Electric/Gas Increase
It’s very difficult to find anyone that is not employed by an electrical supplier to be in support of a proposed increase of an additional $20.08 per month for electricity and $14.52 per month for natural gas on average. This is money that is taken out of the local economy. It pushes people farther into debt because they will have to put everyday expenses like foot on a credit card. Yes, they can also put that rate increase on a credit card as well.
A rate increase or reduction is not automatic. It must go through the Public Utility Commission first, and they have the authority to approve or disapprove the application.
Local lawmakers are not happy about this.they weighed in on their feelings. “Our working families are contending with surging prices on everything from groceries to gasoline,” said Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “In Harrisburg we’re working to help families manage the economic uncertainty stemming from mismanagement in Washington with policies like the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, but a price hike in their monthly PECO bill makes it harder and harder for families to get ahead.”
The lawmakers point to the rapid growth in demand for data centers as one of the root causes of this energy cost crisis. Data centers use a substantial amount of energy to run and few legal parameters have been set to ensure the cost of that extra consumption isn’t being passed onto residential ratepayers.
Last week, the Pa. House passed H.B. 1834, which would require data centers to pay for their own electricity. It is up to the Republican-controlled state Senate to move the bill forward. This is the same senate that refused any attempt to raise the state minimum wage past $7.25/hr.
In Bucks County, State Rep Jim Prokopiak “Families in my community and many across Pennsylvania will be hurt deeply, should this proposal be accepted,” said Prokopiak, who splits Levittown with Tina Davis. “PECO’s actions yesterday were irresponsible, unethical, and frankly, idiotic.”
“Working class and middle-class families are already underwater,” Davis said.